Gerrard pledged a fortnight ago during England’s training camp in Austria that he was not prepared to answer questions about his club, preferring instead to focus on the World Cup.

Since then, however, Rafael Benitez has left Anfield by mutual consent and has been installed as the new Inter manager.

Meanwhile, Gerrard’s boyhood hero Kenny Dalglish and Fulham boss Roy Hodgson are among the top candidates to replace Benitez.

Events on Merseyside have fuelled speculation that Gerrard is set to leave Liverpool this summer.

Real Madrid are the favourites to capture the 30-year-old’s signature with odds slashed to 4/1 for him to start the new campaign at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Speaking ahead of England’s Group C opener against the USA in Rustenburg tomorrow, Gerrard was asked about Liverpool but reiterated his desire to talk only about the World Cup.

“I said on the record in Austria I wouldn’t be speaking about matters at Liverpool whilst I was here at the World Cup. That remains the case,” said Gerrard.

“That would be very disrespectful to all the guys here. Now I want people to show me respect.

“I’m two days from a massive day, leading my country into the World Cup and I want to concentrate on that.

“I am focused on the USA game and the USA game only.

“I will speak about Rafael Benitez and Liverpool’s situation after the World Cup.”

Gerrard has admitted that his situation at Liverpool proved a distraction for him at the last World Cup when rumours were again rife that he was set to leave he club, that time for Chelsea.

Now, as he steps up to captain England following Rio Ferdinand’s withdrawal through injury, the midfielder is determined that history will not repeat itself.

He explains how he had mixed feelings about taking on the armband from Ferdinand but believes he has the backing of his teammates to lead them in South Africa.

“I’m honoured to be leading the lads out in a couple of days,” said Gerrard.

“The first I heard of Rio’s injury and that I would be captain, I had mixed emotions.

“I was sick in the stomach for Rio, who’s a great player, a massive player for us and it’s deeply disappointing that he will not be available, but it’s now my responsibility to lead the boys out.

“It’s a massive responsibility and I’m looking forward to it.”

“I am in this position because managers see I am a good captain and I won’t change at all.

“They like the way I am around the place and the way I do things on the pitch.

“I feel I have got the respect of the players. I’m here for all the players if they need any help.

“For me, I’m going to use the captaincy as a positive rather than a negative.

“I’ve got experienced people around me, the manager (Fabio Capello), Stuart Pearce who has been there and done it.

“I’ve got David Beckham to lean on, Rio is still here, John Terry has been captain.

“There are a lot of big leaders and for me I’m going to enjoy it and use it as a positive.”

Meanwhile, there is a growing support for Kenny Dalglish to become the next Liverpool manager.

Dalglish’s former player David May has argued the Scot’s case to be appointed ahead of favourite, Roy Hodgson.

May played for Dalglish at Blackburn Rovers before joining Manchester United in 1994 and insists he is the right man to rejuvenate Liverpool.

“He will come in and liven things up,” said May.

“I remember him coming to Blackburn and the training sessions were bright. They were short and sharp and he got the lads buzzing again.

“I think that is what needs to happen at Liverpool. Under Benitez they have been playing very boring football, but with Kenny I think they will give the fans something they deserve, which is attacking football.”